Truss construction



May 26, 1942. vc. GRAN-r' 2 2,284,143

TRUss coNsTRUc'rhIoN Filed Dec. 30, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 26, 1942.

. GRANT l v 2,284,143

TRUSS CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 30, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wuiilii.

Patented May 26, 1942 'PATENTv orties 6 Claims.

This invention relates to trusses and more particularly to the specificconstruction of the elements thereof.

. The fitting of trusses has been somewhat diffi- `cult in the past dueto the fact that a great many different designs and sizeswere requiredfor fitting different types of cases and Vdifferentsized individuals.The present invention eliminates these diculties by providing a trusswhich is not only readily adjustable to nt individuals of differentsizes and to take care of different types of cases, but also makespossible the'building up of a single or double truss or one which is ofsoft or spring construction from a few standard parts.

An object of the invention is to provide a truss adjustment whichincludes a running connection with a pad.

Another object of the invention is to provide'a novel truss strap whichis arranged to detachably receive a spring member to convert a softtruss into aspring truss, and vice versa.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel truss strapstructure. Y

Other objects reside inthe details of construction of trusses whichsimplify their manufacture and facilitate and expedite the fittingthereof.

These and other objects will be apparent from the followingspecification when taken with the accompanying drawings, in which f n 1isY a plan view ofv one form that the inention may take,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the back pads and associatedstraps,

Fig. 3 is a section on the line lII--IIIv of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a side elevation o f one of thefactive pads and its associatedstraps,

Fig. 5 is a section on the line V-V of Fig.v 4,

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the straps before it is lstitchedtogether showingdetailsof construction,

Fig. '7 is an elevation of one of the straps showing its constructionand the method of securing it to an-active-pad, i

Fig. 8 is a perspective view from the *front of another form that theinvention may take,

Fig. 9 is a perspective View from the rearof the L form disclosed inFig. 8, v

Fig. l0 is a side elevation of one. active pad of the form of theinvention disclosed'in. Fig.v 8, and

Fig. 1lY isa vertical section through theback ,l

pad and leg strap of the formof the invention disclosed in Fig.V 8.

Referring particularly to the drawings, reference characters I and 2indicate the active pads of the truss designed to exert thedesiredsupport I and disposed against the front of the body of the wearer. Thepads I and 2 eachV have rigidly con--l nected thereto resilient straps3, which are herev inafter described more in detail. The free ends 4 ofthe straps 3 are provided with a plurality of in Fig.' 4. This end ofthe strap 26 projects holes 5, as shown particularly in Fig. 2, eachhole 5 being surrounded by a metal grommet 6, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.Y

At the rear of the truss areprovided two back and free from the pad atthe intermediate portions thereof. Inv the center of each band I0 is anopening II surrounded bya grommet I2. Projecting outwardly from eachvpad 'I and beneath the opening II is a pin I3.Y The pin I3 is Arigidlysecured to a metal plate i4 within the pad l, the plat-e I4 beingsecuredto the pad 'I and the surface 9 by rivets I5.- As shown particularly inFig. 3, when the end 4 of aband 3 is passed between a pad I and its bandI0, the pin 'I3 is disposed through oneV of the openings 5. As the bandIl is flexible it may be raised with respect to the pin l3 to lift theopening II from the pin I3 to permit any of the holes 5 to be disposedover the pin I3 so that an adjustable connection between the pad 'I andthe adjacent strap 3 is provided.r Also, the pin .connections makepossible a pivotal movement to-permit the truss to change or adaptitself to variouspositions of the body of the wearer.A Passage of' theend 4 between the pad 'I and the band I@ is facilitated by constructingthe pad l soy that it is slightly yieldable in a direction perpendicularto the plane' ofthe pad l, thereby permitting the pad I and band, I0 tobe bowed to separate them. f

The pads I and 2 comprise mainbody sections of'some suitableconstruction provided with a rear lcover plate 29 of metal secured tothe pads by some suitablemeans, as screws 2|. Each of the pads I and 2has a pin 22 rigidlyconnected thereto and projecting vnormally from therear face thereof. The pins 22 haveadjacent the outer ends thereofannular grooves-23 for having f sprung thereover a conventionalreleasable connector 2.4provided internally with a 'spring ring 25 fordisposition in the groove 23.

As shown particularly` in Fig.V l, the releasablefastener'24fispositioned at one end vof a connecting strap 26, whichmaybe of pliable leather.r or the like. This fastener 24 is connected ina conventional mannerto thepin 22 of the pad. vThe oppositeend of thestrap 26 is provided with a plurality of holes 21, as shown through anopening 28 in a member 29 of some flexible material, such' as leather,in which is vmounted releasable fastener 26. As showny par ticularly inFigs. land 4, one of the holes'21 in the strap 26 is disposed over thepin 22 projecting from the pad 2. The releasable fastener in the member29 is then moved over the pin 22 of the pad 2 and connectedV thereto ina conventional manner to secure the strap 26 against removalfrom the pin22 projecting from the pad 2. It will be understood that any of theholes 21 in the strap 26 may be disposed over the pin 22 projectingfromthe pad 2 to adjust the distance between the pads I and 2. It shouldalso be observed that the connection between the.' I pads`| and 2 andthe Astrap 26 .is` pivotal as.;

well as adjustable so that thepads I and2 on the strap 26 may pivotrespectively to each other to adjust the strap to the various positionswhich the body of the wearer might take.

The straps 3 are disclosed in detaill in Figs. 6

Vand 7. In Fig. y6 is disclosed the method of making the strap itselfwithout its spring reinforcing. The material from which the strap ismade may be leather or some textile fabric, but it is pre-k -ferred thatthe material be an artificial leather or the like having one sidethereofflnished in vappearance and texture like leather and the revverseside beingof napped fabric and soft. The

'strap is'formed by rolling a strip'laterally upon width and athirdlayer` of approximately threequarters of the width of the first twowidths. The balance of the strip is then reversely rolled "itself into a-flat form until there have been formed. two layers of approximately thesame on itself `to form` substantially a closed loop.`

Stitching 36 is applied tothe small substantially closed loop, extendingthrough the entire strip, asv shown in Fig. '1. The strip 35 is foldedin such a manner that the under or napped side of the strip is on theexterior of the Alarger fold and the nished or leather-like surface ofthe strip 35 is exposed on the smaller or upper fold. On either side ofthe upper fold are channels 31,V into which are inserted spring wires38,

Vas shown in Figs. 3 and 7. The spring wires 3B are in the form of aloop having a closed end 39. An opening, not shown, is Vpunched throughone end of the-strap' 3 adjacent the end loop 39. VIn assembling` thestrap '3 on one ofthe pads 'I or 2, the cover plate 20 isrremoved andthe end of the strap 3 having the opening is placed between the plate'29 and the pad. The platev 20 is then secured to the pad by the screws2|, one of them passing through the opening in the strap V3, thus firmlysecuring the strap y3 to the pad, u not only bythe clamping action ofthe' coverV plate-2 0 but also by the positive holding action ofYthevscrew 2|. The spring reinforcing .wires are freely -slidable in thechannels `31in the strap 3 so that they may b e vremoved from the strap3.*if a soft vstrap is desired rather than a spring A one, or'viceversa.

Fromthe foregoing it will be clearthat the -truss which I-have providedvaccording tojthe present invention may .be `'adjusted 4to, fit jthe fbody of the wearer either `by adjusting the length ofthe strap26between`the pads I and2 or by adjusting the length of thecircumscribing straps I 3. Furthermore, it will be clearthat while Ihavedisclosed a double truss, the truss may be converted'into a singletruss by the simple expedient, of substituting for the one of the padsof theY openings 52.

is possible with premade trusses of standard sizes.

In Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 another form that the invention may take isdisclosed. This form of the invention is particularly adaptable to softtrusses, that is, wherein the circumscribing belt is not provided withan internal spring for urging the active pads of the truss into contactwith the body of the wearer. In Figs. 8 and 9 the truss comprises acircumscribing strap of the same construction as the strap 3 disclosedin Figs. 6 and 7 except that the spring wires 38 are removed; On thefront of the truss is anactive pad 46 of some suitable construction andpivotally secured to the strap 45. Projecting outwardly from the pad 46is a pin 41 about which the strap 45 is pivoted and arranged to receivepivotally a releasable fastener 48 of the same character as the fastener24 disclosed particularly in Figs. 4 and 5. The releasable fastener 48is disposed at one end of a connecting spring band 49. The band 49 isnormally arcuate in configuration and connects the ends of thecircumscribing strap 45. The function of the band 49 is to impartrelease to the circumscribing band 45 so that when the strap 45 isplaced under tension, as due to `some particular movement of the body ofthe wearer, the band 49 straightens out, thereby increasing theeffective length of the strap 45. However, the elfective length thereofis increased only a predetermined amount so that thedesired pressureexerted by theV pad 46 on the body of the wearer is maintained at asuicient degree at all times. y

The opposite end of the band 49 from that in whichV the releasableconnector 48 is secured'ls provided with a plurality of openings 50 andpasses between a pad 1 andV its band I0' secured on the surface thereof,the pad 1 being of the same construction as the pad 1 disclosed in Figs.l, 2 and 3. Thepin I3 projecting outwardly from the pad 1 projectsthrough any desired one of the openings 50 in the band 49.

The strap 45 has at the free end 5I opposite the end to .which the pad46 is attached a plurality of openings 52 longitudinally spaced. The end5I is also disposed between the band I0 and the pad 1 with the pin I3projecting through one Thus, the strap 45 is adjustable asto length andis pivotally connected to the band 49.

Since the truss disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9 is of soft construction, itis necessary to have a strap 53 passing between the legs of the wearerto hold the 'pad 46 down in the position at which it is intended tobear. The strap 53 is of some conventional construction and is providedYat the Afront end thereof with a releasablezfastener 54 videntical: inconstruction to the fastener 24 dis- Y leasably and pivotally receivingthe fastener 54.

orw2, and its strap Y3 a 'soft strap. Thus, byla .Y tter .having apredetermined. set of standard parts, he canreadily build up, a soft orspring truss, a single or a Vdo'ubleone',4 of Vany size that is.desired, thereby not only making it unneces-f sary for him to have aVlarge asscrtmentjof var# ious forms and sizes of trusses but also makingit possible to provide a more accurate fit than u;

Theopposite end of the strap53 is provided Vwith a. plurality ofopenings and is passed between theband I IJ and a pad 1 disposed on therear portionof the strap 45. The pin I3 of this pad 1Y extendsthrough'one of the openings 60, pivotally andV adjustably anchoring the rearendof the strap 53. The strap 45 also passes between the band I 0 andthe pad 1-'at the rear of the itruss and is provided adjacent the pad 1with a plurality of openings 6I,A through one of which the-pin of thispad projects. Thus, the pad 1 It will be observed that the constructiondisclosed in Figs. 8 through 11 is adaptable to the same character ofadjustment, fitting and remarking as the truss disclosed in Figs. 1through 7. Also, as suggested above, the disclosed single truss may bereadily converted to a double truss.

In both forms of the invention disclosed the pads 1 serve not only toprovide pivotal points of contact for the truss to the body, but alsoprovides a shield to hold the connections of the sections of theadjacent sections of the truss away from the body of the wearer, therebyeliminating any rubbing action that might otherwise occur atthesepoints. The pivotal action of the pads 'l makes possible the continuousbearing'of the pad 1 against the body without movement,

while at the same time permitting relative pivotal movement of thesections of the truss adjoining the pad 1.

Having thus describedl my invention, what I desire to secure by LettersPatent and claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, a y

plurality of sections forming a circumscribing member having endsdetachably secured together, the end of one of said sections overlap--Vping the end of an adjacent section, a pad secured to the end of -saidadjacent section, a band on the surface of said pad attached ateach endto said pad and being free in theiniddle, a pin projecting outwardlyfrom said pad beneath said band into contiguity with said band, one ofsaid overlapping ends having a, plurality of openings therein spacedlongitudinally thereof, said band being movable outwardly with respectto said pad, whereby said last named overlapping end may be projectedbetween said pad and said band, said pin projecting through one of saidopenings to provide a pivotal connection between said overlapping endand said adjacent section, said plurality of openings being positionedto have any one of them received by said pin to provide an adjustableconnection between said overlapping end and said adjacent section.

2. In a truss of the character described, a plurality of sectionsforming a `circumscribing member having ends detachably secured.together, one of said sections having a back pad connected at each endthereof, a band on the rear surface of each of said back pads attachedat each end and being free in the middle, a pin projecting outwardlyfrom each pad beneath its band, said sections adjacent each back padhaving free ends overlapping the adjacent back pad and having aplurality of openings spaced longitudinally ofthe same adjacentthe endsthereof, said ends projecting, respectively, between Vsaid pads and saidbrands, 'each end having the pin of the adjacent pad Vprojecting throughone of the openings therein to provide a pivotal connection betweensaidpads and the adjacent sections, said plurality of openings providingadjustable connections, an active pad at the opposite end of each ofsaid adjacent sections adapted to be disposed at the front of the bodyof the wearer, and means connecting said active.

and resilient stiifening wires slidably disposed in said channels. l

4. In a device of the character described, a circumscribing memberhaving ends detachably secured together, an active pad on said member,an inactive pad disposed at the intersection of said ends, a band on thesurface of said inactive pad attached at each end and free in themiddle, and a pin projecting outwardly from said inactive pad beneathsaid band, said band being movable outwardly with respect to said pad,one of said intersecting ends having openings therein for the receptionof said pin and being disposed between said inactive pad and said band,the other intersecting end being connected to said inactive pad, wherebysaid ends may be pivotally connected together and said inactive padpivotally connected to at least one of said ends.

5. A device of the character described, a pair of sections havingadjacent ends overlapping, a

pad at the juncture of said sections, said pad having on one surfacethereof a exible band attached at each end'to said pad and being free inthe middle, a pin projecting outwardly from said pad beneath said band,said band due to its flexibility being movable outwardly with respecttion of the front of the body of the wearer, an

inactive pad for engaging with the rear of the body of the wearer, a pinprojecting from said inactive pad, said body strap having an openingtherein, and said pin projecting through said opening to provide apivotal connection between said body strap and said inactive pad, a

leg strap secured adjacent one end thereof to said active pad, andhaving adjacent the other end thereof an opening, said pin projectingthrough said opening to provide a pivotal connection between said legstrap and said body 'strap and vinactive pad at the rear of the body ofthe wearer, and a band on the surface of said inactive pad attached ateach end to said inactive pad and being free in the middle, said bodyand leg straps passing between said inactive pad and said band, saidband being over said pin for maintaining said body strap and leg y strapon said pin.

` 'COLIN GRANT.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,28Lbiu5. May 26, 19m.

YCOLIN GRANT.

It is herebjr certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:V Page l,second column, line 5l, for "pad" read --pad l; line 56, after the word"mounted" insert -the; page 5, first column, line lli-l5, for remarkingread --remaking; and that the said Letters' Patent should be read withthis correction the rein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 21st day of July, A. D. 19m.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commis sioner of Patents.

